Canada Jane » turtle

Storms and turtles sum up the week

admin — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 13:25:37 +0000

Summer is really starting to show itself now. We have had great weather with really warm temps in the mid to high twenties. We have also had a few storms. These are some great pics that Chris took of the storm we had the other day which did quit a bit of local damage as well as causing thousands to be without electric for several days. Fortunately we were okay.

We have also started to see turtles travel across our land lately. Every year we see a number of Blanding’s turtles in the garden and we are never sure where they come from or where they are going, but we love them. Here is the latest venturer.

Then yesterday we saw a painted turtle. Although we often see these on our travels, we have never had one in the garden before. At least none we have seen.

When Chris lifted him up you could see more of his markings.

Soon after we saw him he zipped off to wherever he was going.

Also the other day we saw this osprey on a nest. Not the best pics as I only had my pocket camera on me, but you get the idea.

Hummingbirds and turtles

admin — Sun, 06 Jun 2010 15:38:54 +0000

Our hummingbirds are still flying in and out to our feeders. They are fascinating to watch and so quick. This is a photo (taken through glass) of one of the two regular females we have. If you look you can see she is sticking her tongue out ready to sip the nectar. Still trying to get a photo of the male who is proving more elusive.

We have also had another turtle in the garden. This one was much shyer than the one the other day. As soon as we got near him he stuck his head in and refused to come out.

Garden activity increases

admin — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 13:25:03 +0000

We have baby squirrels again this year. Once again a female decided to use one of our nesting boxes – the same one she used last year. This morning two of the three babies ventured out for the first time.

The other day we saw our first Blandings Turtle of the year. Every year since we have lived here we have seen several of them travel across our garden. We have no idea where they come from or where they go.

Also I managed to get a photo of the baby killdeer. We started off with four babies, but there are now only three although they are growing up fast and will probably be leaving us in a couple of weeks. There are just two in this pic.

We also have two different female hummingbirds visiting our feeder and one male. This is one of the females. There will be more and better pics of these to follow.

Deer for the second day running

admin — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 17:03:38 +0000

Yesterday I mentioned that we had a young stag in the garden which is unusual in the summer months. Well last night we had another deer in the garden, this time a female. How odd that we don’t see any for a couple of months and suddenly we get two, two days running.

We are also on the look out for Blanding’s turtle which we often get crossing the garden in the summer. None spotted yet, but hopefully they will be along soon.

Really hot today, 31C but with the humidex it is nearer 37C.

Turtles and squirrels

admin — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 22:55:32 +0000

Well our squirrel proof feeder is proving to be a big hit – with squirrels!

This is one determined female who has discovered how to not only get onto the feeder but how to manipulate the hole covers to get the food.

She then chilled out in the tree

We had another visit from one of the turtles. These are just soo cool!

Is this my good side?

or perhaps this side?

Turtles are back again

admin — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 23:09:19 +0000

Tonight we happened to look out the window and saw a turtle crossing the front garden. We went out to have a look and it was a Blandings turtle. We saw a couple of these last year too. This one was smaller than last years, about the size of a dinner plate. Here are some photos of him.

After taking his photo we fed chip the chipmunk and then spotted another turtle in the bushes, this one very much smaller, probably only 4 inches long. He was asleep in the bushes with his head tucked in.

Then as if that wasn’t enough we spotted a toad.

Also, here is a starling feeding young. She looks harassed and they look bigger than her!

Look what we just saw in the garden

admin — Fri, 15 Jun 2007 18:25:54 +0000

At first we thought we were seeing things, but no, it was a turtle. No idea what it was doing in our garden as there is no water. He just wandered in, stayed for a photo shoot and wandered off again. You don’t tend to get these in England!

I looked him up and he appears to be a Blanding’s turtle.

This pic is now my screensaver – isn’t it great!